HAMMOND, La. – With a position room featuring a strong mix of proven veterans and talented newcomers, the Southeastern Louisiana University football team heads into 2025 with plenty of options on the defensive line.
 
"This is the deepest defensive line group, especially on the interior, that we've had since I've been here," Southeastern head coach Frank Scelfo said. "We have an experienced room that has played a lot of snaps for us. We're longer and more athletic and I think the line of scrimmage is going to be a strength for us on both sides of the ball."
 
At tackle, the top returner is Kaleb Proctor. The Oak Grove, Louisiana product is a preseason All-America selection and earned All-Southland Conference honors last fall. Proctor is one of several veterans on the inside, along with Ahmad Bradley and Peyton Anderson.
 
Bradley came to Hammond originally as an offensive lineman, but switched sides of the ball and was thrust into a starting role last season after Anderson suffered an injury that cost him the first few games of the season on the first play from scrimmage in the season opener at Tulane.
 
When Anderson returned, he, Bradley and Proctor provided SLU with a veteran core that gelled as the season progressed.
 
"We have a lot of confidence in Kaleb, Ahmad and Peyton," Scelfo commented. "We've also had three younger guys – Gabe Whittington, James Harris and Etison Pholo – really shine for us during camp."
 
Southeastern will be replacing a pair of All-Southland Conference defensive ends in 2024 seniors Warren Peeples and Shemar Pearl. Much like his group at defensive tackle, Scelfo likes his mix of veterans and new faces coming off the edge.
 
"We lost two really good defensive ends, but we have guys ready to take advantage of the opportunity," Scelfo stated. "Rowan Briggs is going into his fourth year with our program and has played a lot of meaningful snaps for us. Josh Randall provides a lot of production with his speed off the edge. Khalid Moore brings a lot of the same skill set that Warren Peeples did.
 
"Max Elkman is a new guy that we added that provides us more length and size than we've had at that position," Scelfo continued. "Evan Aubrey and Gabriel Harvey have both had really good camps. And we have some other guys fighting for playing time. We're in a fortunate spot with our defensive line. The combination of keeping some guys from jumping in the portal and some of our young guys growing up fast accounts for our depth."
 
One of the Lions who had a chance to enter the portal and pursue other opportunities was Proctor, who enters his final season in the green and gold as one of the elite defensive linemen in FCS.
 
"It's the culture within the program and the bonds I've built here," Proctor said of what led him back to Hammond for his final year. "We're such a tight-knit group as a defensive line on and off the field. I just couldn't leave that behind for my final year. Southeastern made me feel wanted and that was another big factor in my decision to return for my last season."
 
"Kaleb is a great player, but even a better person," Scelfo said of Proctor. "He's such a special leader on and off the field for us. We think he can be successful playing at the next level, but whether it be in football or just life in general, he's going to leave here and do great things."
 
Proctor echoed many of Scelfo's thoughts about the depth of the defensive line. SLU defensive coordinator Bill D'Ottavio and defensive line coach Tom Rinaldi rotate the defensive linemen in and out of the game frequently to keep them fresh during a grueling 12-game schedule.
 
"We have a lot of guys that have played a lot of ball here and understand our culture," Proctor commented. "It's great for us to know when a new group rotates in, we don't have any drop off. We have guys who are backups who could start for anyone in our conference, which is a testament to how deep our defensive line is."
 
Proctor and Briggs were roommates when they first arrived at Southeastern and is just one of the many close-knit relationships among the defensive linemen, especially those who have played together for multiple years. However, Proctor credits one of the newer faces in the position group as the one to settle the troops down during tense moments in the meeting room or on the field.
 
"Ahmad Bradley is such a big teddy bear and really knows how to lighten the mood," Proctor stated. "When things are tense and tough, he's the one who calms us down and resets us."
 
While team success and maximizing the Lions' potential this fall is his ultimate goal, Proctor has set some lofty personal benchmarks for himself.
 
"I'll be able to reach my personal goals by helping our team to success," Proctor said. "I want to prove that I'm the best defensive player in FCS and move on to play in the NFL."
 
Scelfo, who coached with the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL, believes Proctor has the ability to play at the next level.
 
"Kaleb's quickness and athleticism will offset the fact that he doesn't have the size of the prototypical NFL interior lineman," Scelfo said. "We've had about 15 franchises come through here this season and they've all been very interested in the intensity he practices with and the quality of person he is on and off the field."
 
Southeastern continues its third week of fall practice with a 9 a.m. practice Friday in Strawberry Stadium. SLU opens the 2025 campaign Aug. 30 with a 6:30 p.m. contest at Louisiana Tech. The Lions open their five-game home schedule Sept. 13, hosting Mississippi Valley State at 6 p.m. in Strawberry Stadium.
 
TICKETS
For ticket information, contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net. Southeastern will continue offering mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail or text message in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Football, follow @LionUpFootball and @Coach_Scelfo on X, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and follow lionupfootball on Instagram.
 
TOUCHDOWN CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the football program are encouraged to join the Touchdown Club. Lion football alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Touchdown Club and S Club (football) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern football program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics observes a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.